United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, has announced that the Office Asset Recovery Unit collected a total of $33,855,363 in asset forfeiture and financial litigation debt during Fiscal Year 2024. This amount includes $18,840,034.68 obtained through enforcement of criminal restitution debts and civil collections, with an additional $15,015,329 coming from criminal and civil forfeiture actions.
"The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to protecting the public and recovering funds for the victims of crime," stated U.S. Attorney Myers. "We are proud to have partnered with so many local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to compensate victims and hold criminals financially accountable."
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices work alongside the Department’s litigating divisions to enforce and collect civil and criminal debts owed to the United States as well as criminal debts owed to crime victims in federal cases. Defendants are required by law to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have experienced physical injury or financial loss. While restitution payments go directly to victims, any criminal fines and felony assessments contribute to the department's Crime Victims Fund which supports both federal and state victim compensation and assistance programs.
Assets forfeited are deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund which serves both crime victim restoration purposes as well as various law enforcement needs.
U.S. Attorney Myers extended gratitude towards Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelese Woods, Chief of the Office’s Civil Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Rota, Chief of the Office’s Asset Recovery Unit; along with other support professionals and attorneys within his office for their commitment in upholding legal standards while ensuring accountability from wrongdoers.
